AISSI Brings Israel to the Forefront of Italian Academic Cooperation Worldwide
The Association of Italian Scholars and Scientists in Israel (AISSI) has reached an important milestone in its international recognition following the establishment of a new global confederation of Italian researchers. The initiative was announced on November 5, 2026, by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during the Conference of Scientific and Space Attachés in Reggio Calabria, following a ministerial roundtable bringing together the presidents of 19 Italian academic and scientific associations worldwide.
Among the participating organizations was AISSI, represented by its President, Prof. Cristina M. Bettin, a historian at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. For AISSI, this institutional recognition represents a significant achievement and an opportunity to strengthen Israel’s international academic connections at a time when Israeli universities and researchers face increasing academic boycotts and restrictions on international cooperation.
The new Confederation of Associations of Italian Researchers Worldwide will provide an international platform for developing research partnerships, promoting joint academic initiatives, and facilitating cooperation among Italian scholars and scientists across continents. “This initiative represents an important opportunity to counter academic isolation through dialogue, scientific cooperation, and new international partnerships,” said Prof. Bettin. “Our objective is not only to strengthen connections among Italian researchers working in Israel and abroad, but also to create new opportunities for collaboration with Israeli colleagues and academic institutions.” Prof. Bettin emphasized that the new international partnerships will encompass the full spectrum of academic disciplines, including the natural and technological sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities, reflecting the Confederation’s commitment to inclusive and interdisciplinary academic cooperation.
AISSI welcomed the initiative of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), expressing appreciation for its recognition of the association’s contribution to scientific diplomacy and to strengthening academic relations between Italy and Israel. The new international network offers AISSI an opportunity to expand its activities, develop collaborative research projects, and reinforce academic exchange as a means of building lasting bridges between Israel, Italy, and the wider international scholarly community.
Meeting of the Presidents of the Associations of Italian Researchers in the World, Reggio Calabria, November 4, 2026 (Credit: MAECI)